In 2024, Bangladesh faced another relentless wave of floods, a harsh reminder of the profound impact of climate change and its geographical challenges near the Bay of Bengal and the Ganges Delta. As a response, Arbeiter Samariter Bund (ASB), our long-term safe water delivery partner, mobilised SkyHydrants and SkyBoxes to deliver life-saving aid to communities in need.
Since 1921, ASB has been delivering humanitarian relief and transforming lives with vital services across the globe. In Bangladesh, as floods ravaged the land, the urgency to provide access to safe drinking water became paramount, combating waterborne diseases that threaten lives, especially among vulnerable populations.
“In Bangladesh, effective response hinges on registration as an NGO and obtaining specific approvals, even during a crisis. Our partners, the National Rural Accessibility Strategy (NRA) and Centre for Disability in Development (CDD), have been instrumental in navigating these challenges,” shared Axel Schmidt from ASB.
“Together, we forged a strong partnership built on trust. When we identified where SkyHydrants could be most impactful, the NRA director tapped into his network of community leaders to pinpoint the hardest-hit areas. This collaboration created a ripple effect of information-sharing that propelled our efforts forward.”
With determination, an ASB representative travelled to Dhaka and ventured into the flooded areas, collaborating with local partners to assess critical locations. While they encountered challenges due to coordination gaps among local authorities, community input became their best asset. Local knowledge shaped the decisions, highlighting the most pressing needs and enabling quick responses.
“Our goal was to identify the areas where SkyHydrants would yield the greatest benefits,” Alex explained. “For instance, we found a school sheltering 200 people but soon learned that the occupants would be relocating shortly. Without local insights, we wouldn’t have realised this critical detail in time to adjust our plans.”
A commitment to capacity-building and community involvement is at the heart of ASB’s approach. “We engage local communities in our projects, asking them to commit to building platforms for the SkyHydrants, for example. This buy-in is crucial for the SkyHydrant installation’s long-term success. Additionally, we carefully select accessible and strategic locations, like community centres or mosques, to ensure maximum benefits for everyone,” Alex emphasised.
Equitable access remains a driving principle for the team. They are particularly attentive to marginalised groups—individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and pregnant women—who often face additional barriers to water access. A site supervisor has been designated to oversee these considerations, ensuring no one is left behind.
The keys to ASB’s success lie in trust, collaboration, and community engagement. By listening actively to local voices, sustainable solutions can be cultivated that enhance access to safe drinking water for all. Innovations like SkyHydrants and SkyBoxes are not just technological tools; they represent a lifeline in the face of climate challenges and environmental crises.
